Braden River Paddle Trip and Linger Lodge Lunch

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🛶 Braden River Kayak Adventure: Jigs Landing to Linger Lodge

Date: Nov. 2025 Distance: 8.3 miles round trip

We recently enjoyed another fantastic group paddle, this time tackling the scenic Braden River with a group of enthusiastic paddlers. Our 8.3-mile round trip started at Jigs Landing and took us all the way to the quirky and memorable Linger Lodge for lunch.

A Great Day Under Cloudy Skies

The forecast called for possible rain and the day stayed mostly cloudy and overcast, but it was still a great day on the water! As we paddled the lake and entered the river, the wildlife was exceptional. We spotted a large flock of Turkey Vultures perched high in the tallest trees, wings spread wide.

River Scenery and Noteworthy Sights

Paddling up the Braden River, the group enjoyed the high bluffs and the lovely flowers blooming at the water’s edge. We spotted numerous turtles sunning themselves peacefully on logs. We also noted the homes along the riverbanks, including some still damaged from last year’s storms. During the trip, we had a solemn reminder of nature’s harsh realities when we spotted a dead deer at the river’s edge.

The Linger Lodge Experience

Our halfway point and lunch destination was the one-of-a-kind Linger Lodge. While most of our restaurant photos didn’t come out, we have one fantastic shot that captured the fun: their legendary Bloody Mary, which is truly a meal in itself—loaded with mini-hamburgers, bacon, pickles, and more! This spot is always a fun experience, playing up its wooded location with stuffed critters everywhere.

The paddle back was smooth and aided by a helpful wind that picked up. On the return trip, we got a wonderful look at a large flock of graceful Ibis gathered near the river entrance.

It was truly another great day on the water. A huge thank you to all of the group for the wonderful attitudes and adventurous spirits!

Check out the gallery for all the pictures from the trip!